A suspected serial rapist on the run from the UK authorities for 12 years was tonight being hunted in the midlands.
London’s Metropolitan Police are trying to tack down Polish man Dawid Wysocki, who is accused of being involved in two brutal gang rapes.
Detectives have released a photo of the 30-year-old, also known as Andrzej Wysocki or Arthur Bryewicz, who fled the city while on bail for one of the vicious attacks.
It is feared he could be in hiding with members of the Polish community in Portlaoise.
Acting Detective Inspector Dan Brown said Met officers have been liaising closely with gardaí.
“We have strong intelligence to suggest he has been frequenting Ireland and the UK and travelling between the two,” said DI Brown.
“He has also committed offences in Ireland and at the moment we believe he is in Ireland.
“We have no evidence of any sex offences in the subsequent years since the offences we are investigating, but if any member of the public sees him they are not to approach him but contact the police or gardaí.
“There is nothing to suggest he still poses a risk, but we want to speak to him about what is a serious and violent offence.”
Wysocki, a member of the Polish Romany community, was accused of being involved in the brutal gang rape on 22 September 1996.
A 17-year-old female prostitute was kidnapped by two men in the Commercial Street area of East London and taken to an address on the Strawberry Vale Estate in Finchley where she was attacked by at least four men over a prolonged period of time.
When the victim was eventually freed she stopped a passing police vehicle and two of the group, including Wysocki, were arrested at the scene.
He was charged with rape and false imprisonment at the Old Bailey and fled while on bail.
PA